April 03, 2008 issue
Celebrating Children
April Is the Month of the Young Child
Story by Kathleen McFadden
When you look at them going by in strollers, walking gingerly in those tiny shoes or taking in all the sights from the comfort of a seat in grocery cart, you can’t help but smile. Babies, toddlers, preschoolers—all have an inherent ability to evoke affectionate responses from perfect strangers. Accompanying that affection is a strong feeling of protection because we realize that no matter how independent their spirits, these little residents are completely dependent on adults.
During political seasons, candidates talk a great deal about the importance of our children. But candidates come and go, and the needs of young children often get lost in the vast jumble of competing needs. The real support for children happens in families and in communities.
To underscore the necessity of local support, the National Association for the Education of Young Children annually sponsors the Month of the Young Child to focus public attention on young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet their needs.
In March, Jennifer Wilson-Kearse, executive director of the Watauga County Children’s Council, presented a proclamation to the Watauga County Board of Commissioners declaring April as the Month of the Young Child. The board unanimously passed the proclamation, urging all citizens to recognize and support the needs of young children in the community.
The Children’s Council is in the forefront of promoting the interests of young children in the county. Focusing on children from birth to age 5, the Children’s Council is the local Smart Start Partnership, deciding what programs to fund to help ensure that every child entering school is ready to learn.
Study after study has shown that the early childhood years lay the foundation for children's success in school and later life. One of the most important of those studies is the High/Scope Perry Preschool Study that provides irrefutable scientific evidence that high-quality childcare has a lasting positive impact on society. The study followed participants until age 40 and showed that low-income 3- and 4-year-olds who participated in high-quality childcare programs were more likely to graduate from high school and have and maintain jobs, as well as commit fewer crimes. The study documented a return on the investment of public funds of $17 to every $1 spent.
Consequently, The Children’s Council funds programs that enhance the quality of local childcare. During this fiscal year, The Children’s Council
• Budgeted $60,000 to supplement childcare workforce salaries
• Funded a faculty position with Caldwell Community College in early childhood education to increase education levels of childcare providers
• Supported 31 small business childcare facilities with a total economic impact of $27.3 million
• Invested $50,000 in public preschools located within the Watauga County Schools
• Gave Social Services $115,000 for subsidizing childcare
• Budgeted $42,500 for family support services for families with children birth to 5 years
To find out more about how The Children’s Council serves our youngest residents and to find out how to help, call 828-262-5424.
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